Greece invests €90 million to modernize national railways

Greece has launched a €90 million modernization initiative to upgrade its central railway corridor and improve safety, efficiency, and European connectivity through advanced signaling, electrification, and GSM-R communication systems.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Greece begins €90 million modernization program

The Ministry of National Economy and Finance announced tenders for the project under the 2021–2027 “Transport” operational program, supported by EU Cohesion Fund resources. Because the Patras–Athens–Thessaloniki–Idomeni axis forms the core of national rail traffic, the plan aims to enhance reliability and interoperability across the network.

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Deputy Minister Nikos Papathanasis signed the tender invitations titled “Installation of modern signaling, telecommunications, and management systems in the central railway Core European Transport Network (TEN-T).” Hellenic Railways (OSE) will oversee implementation and coordinate contractors.

Greece strengthens railway safety and efficiency

Greece will install the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 and new signaling on the Thessaloniki–Idomeni line, a vital link to North Macedonia and the Balkan region. This step will improve cross-border traffic flow and operational consistency.

The Paleofarsalos–Kalambaka route will receive electrification, remote control, and ETCS L1 upgrades to reduce energy consumption and minimize delays. And the new GSM-R radio network will cover key sections such as Tithorea–Domokos, Kiato–Rio, Thessaloniki–Idomeni, and Paleofarsalos–Kalambaka, allowing secure digital communication between drivers and control centers.

Officials stated that these improvements align with the EU’s TEN-T policy and support broader goals for interoperability and sustainability. Modern signaling and telecom systems will also enable faster train speeds and reduce maintenance costs.

Long-term impact and European integration

This €90 million investment represents a new phase in Greece’s long-term modernization strategy, following previous electrification and station reconstruction efforts. Over the past decade, the country has committed billions of euros in EU and national funds to renew its rail infrastructure.

Experts emphasize that adopting ETCS and GSM-R technologies positions Greece as a stronger transport hub for freight and passengers moving between the Aegean region and Central Europe. Because improved connectivity lowers transport emissions, the initiative also contributes to Greece’s climate-neutral mobility targets under EU Green Deal objectives.

As a result, Greece is not only upgrading railway hardware but also embedding advanced digital control solutions that increase network resilience and competitiveness.

Source: greekcitytimes.com

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